DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Friday, 26th February, 2010

The House met at 0900 hours

[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! As there is no quorum, I suspend business.

Business was suspended from 0900 hours until 0908 hours.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! What has happened should never happen again. As long as we remain hon. Members, Parliamentary Business takes precedence over all matters. This has never happened before and it should not re-occur that we fail to form a quorum. 

Hon. Members should be aware that if fifteen minutes had elapsed, the House would have adjourned. This spirit should come to an end. This should be the first and last time so that we show seriousness with the business of the nation and spend the time assigned to this business accordingly.

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER

ZAMBIA INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY SEMINAR

Madam Deputy Speaker: I wish to inform the House that I have authorised the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority to conduct a seminar for all hon. Members of Parliament. The seminar will take place on Monday, 1st March 2010 at 030 hours in the Amphitheatre …

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: I am sorry, it will be at 0830 hours. It is a good day.

Laughter

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! The seminar is aimed at creating awareness among hon. Members of Parliament on the role of information communication technologies in national development, highlight the various ICT projects that are being undertaken at the African Union level and outline the challenges that operators in the mobile and internet services face. All hon. Members are, therefore, urged to attend this important seminar.

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BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Mangani): Madam Speaker, before I indicate the Business of the House, I want to apologise for what has happened today. It happened because some of my relatives from the north do not know how to look at the watch…

Interruptions

Hon. PF Members: We came before you, iwe!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

Laughter

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, I rise to give some idea of the Business of the House it will consider next week.

On Tuesday, 2nd March, 2010, the Business of the House will begin with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House may consider any other Business that may have been presented before it.

On Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010, the Business of the House will commence with Questions, if there will be any. After that, there will be presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. This will be followed by Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider the report of the Select Committee appointed to scrutinise Presidential Appointments of Hon. Judge Just Mwiinde Siavwapa; Hon. Judge Emelia Phiri-Sunkutu; Dr Patrick Matibini, SC; Mr Isaac Chibulu Tantameni Chali; Mrs Elita Phiri-Mwikisa and Mrs Fulgency Mwenya Chisanga to serve as Puisne Judges. Then, the House will consider the Committee Stage of the Disaster Management Bill, - (N.A.B 32/2009).

Madam Speaker, on Thursday, 4th March, 2010, the Business of the House will start with Questions, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider any other Business that may have been presented before it previously.

On Friday, 5th March, 2010, the Business of the House will begin with His Honour the Vice-President’s Question Time.

This will be followed by questions if there will be any. Then the House will consider presentation of Government Bills if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will consider any other business that may have been presented earlier in the week.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

REHABILITATION OF POLICE STAFF HOUSES AT CHILUBI POLICE STATION

272. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Home Affairs when the four dilapidated police staff houses at Chilubi Police Station in Chilubi Parliamentary Constituency would be rehabilitated.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr D. Phiri): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Ministry of Home Affairs is cognisant of the fact that most police infrastructure, like police stations, are in a state of despair. As such, the ministry has embarked on giving these infrastructures a facelift, including construction of new police houses. However, due to budgetary constraints and other competing needs, rehabilitation works are being undertaken in phases as and when funds are available. 

Madam Speaker, I remain hopeful that Chilubi Police Station will definitely benefit from such rehabilitation programmes in ensuing phases.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, it is a well-known fact that the policemen in rural areas are disadvantaged in a number of ways which include lack of housing accommodation, but are there any serious plans by the Executive to put such projects in the 2011 National Budget?

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Mangani): Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, most of our police officers are disadvantaged in terms of accommodation. If you look at the houses which are there, they were constructed before independence and this is why the Government has recognised this problem and we have started constructing houses for police officers, including maintenance of the old houses. So, we do know the problems that our police officers are facing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, I just want to find out whether policemen who stay in police camps are allowed to make extensions to the Government houses.

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, the police officers are not allowed to make extensions, but the problem that we have had is that over a period of time these houses which were constructed a long time ago are very small and the families have grown big. So, they are using some initiative and we have taken this into account as we build new houses. We have taken into consideration the fact that policemen also have big families. I think although it is not allowed, it is happening because their families are big.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola): Madam Speaker, as the ministry is building houses for police officers, why can they not give priority to repairing those dilapidated houses in Chilubi which are completely ‘unliveable’? 

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, that is a very important observation. We have actually put up a programme to look at the repairs of these houses. So, it is a matter that we are seriously considering.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Kapata (Mandevu): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister, in his answer, alluded to the fact that due to budgetary constraints, most of the houses and police stations are not rehabilitated. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why the ministry takes so long to commission a police post which a community has built using their own funds and Constituency Development Funding (CDF).

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, I want to commend some of the Members of Parliament that have taken the initiative of putting up police posts using the CDF. We have had challenges particularly when it comes to accommodation. Our desire is that once these police posts are constructed, the officers must be stationed near the police post. In most cases, because of cash problems the CDF may not even be extended to construction of houses. However, we feel that once you also have extra resources, you can put up a house. Then you match with the police post. So, the major challenge has been that we have not been able to have a house and police post at the same time. I want to appeal that where we are not able to build a house and you have a bit of money, consider building a house as well for the officers so that your police post is utilised.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Muyanda (Sinazongwe): Madam Speaker, is this Government prepared to take heed of rolling out a well-organised plan, constituency by constituency, to construct houses so that we can monitor each construction of houses in each constituency despite competing interests. Is this Government prepared to take heed of such a plan which is very workable?

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, yes, in fact, the ministry has developed an infrastructure development plan that will be communicated to all of us. What is difficult, of course, are the competing needs and budgetary constraints. We have only K35 billion in the budget and I do not think we can cover all the constituencies at once. This is why the answer is indicating that we shall carry out this programme in phases. So, we have phases that are rolling, but the programme is definitely there which can be communicated or distributed to Members of Parliament so that they know what we are doing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mwenya (Nkana): Madam Speaker, whilst I appreciate the initiative of constructing new houses, maintenance of the old infrastructure is also cardinal. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Home Affairs whether they have considered the option of allowing police stations to retain the money that is realised from traffic offences to be used to rehabilitate police stations and police housing units in their respective areas.

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, it may be a good suggestion but the danger is if we just open that one up, you may find that motorists will be charged anyhow and it will inconvenience a lot of motorists. I think there should be a systematic way of dealing with infrastructure than empowering the policemen to start using that money for rehabilitation of their houses. I do not think that will be the best approach.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, there are certain houses in police camps which are not legally electrified. May I find out from the hon. Minister when ZESCO will move in and electrify these houses legally?

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, the wiring of houses or the internal part of the house is not the responsibility of ZESCO. That is the responsibility of the ministry and, if possible, the individuals occupying those houses. The problem we have had is that we have not had enough resources to start wiring most of the houses and if you look at the houses, also, they are dilapidated and it has been difficult for us to do the wiring of these houses which are in a bad state. However, ZESCO is willing to connect up to a certain point, but inside the house that is our responsibility and the officers who are staying in those houses.

Mr Mukanga (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, sometime back, there used to be a programme of procuring brick moulding machines so that they are put at every district in the country in order to resolve problems like the one we are talking about in Chilubi. What has happened to that brilliant plan? Does the Government intend to revive that programme?

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, in fact, that is a very good suggestion and presently, we are encouraging police officers to identify land where we can build them houses. If possible, they should mould the bricks so that the resources from the Government are just used to buy other materials. Therefore, Kamfinsa is one police post that already has some bricks and we are encouraging other police camps to do the same.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Matongo (Pemba): Madam Speaker, competing needs in this country not matching the resource envelope has always been an excuse by the Executive. As a matter of consultation and belief that there is collective responsibility in Cabinet, has the hon. Minister of Home Affairs considered convincing his colleagues, particularly the hon. Minister Finance and National Planning, to revisit the tax regime, particularly as it relates to windfall tax in the light of good prices of copper on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in order to have better allocations in October in the Budget? 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, indeed, I would be more than happy if the budget for my ministry were increased. How and where the money will come from is the responsibility of the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning. I would, therefore, really urge the hon. Minister and all hon. Members of the House to support increasing the budget of my ministry.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chota (Lubansenshi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that if the communities assist in building houses for police officers, the Government will build police posts. Would he confirm if that is the case?

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, I doubt whether I said that. What I said is that most hon. Members of Parliament have used the CDF to construct police posts, but the challenge, for us, is to send officers to these posts where there is no housing or accommodation. Therefore, my appeal is that as these police posts are built, houses for officers are also considered so that we quickly send officers to man them.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Mwape (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has just informed us that they have put a …

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Ms Mwape: I am wondering whether, in this plan that the ministry has, there is a provision for rehabilitation and maintenance of these camps and what criteria the ministry is using for prioritising the construction. It seems it is being done haphazardly or, probably, there is some kind of favouritism. Can the hon. Minister confirm that there is some empirical evidence being used to prove the need for the construction of particular police camps in some areas and not in the areas being left out because Mufulira is a case that desperately needs accommodation for police officers?

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, indeed, the plan looks at several areas. For example, we look at the concentration of the population and the staffing levels in a particular area. Hon. Members may have noticed that we have bought and constructed more houses in Ndola because of the number of officers serving there. Indeed, there are no areas which are considered to be special, but we have to start somewhere. 

We have realised that this programme has taken long and we have not attended to the issue of houses for a very long time. We know the frustrations of hon. Members of Parliament, but we have to start somewhere in maintaining and building these houses and hence our starting in Ndola, Livingstone, Chipata, North-Western Province and Kasama. We hope that in the next phase, we will tackle other provincial centres as well.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lubinda (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, on 12th January, 2008, the then President of the Republic of Zambia, the late Levy Mwanawasa, at the Superior Officers’ gala in Lilayi, where the hon. Minister of Home Affairs then, Hon. Shikapwasha, was in attendance, said and I quote:

“I want that every police officer shall have accommodation by the time I leave Government in 2011.”

Based on that statement of the Head of State, can I find out from the hon. Minister of Home Affairs if, indeed, there is a policy in place to ensure the attainment of this vision and if that policy also has guidelines for those hon. Members of Parliament who are desperate to build police stations in their constituencies, to follow. If those policies and guidelines are available, can he, please, lay them on the Table for us to access them?

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, the President mentioned that and, personally, I would also love to see that all police officers have accommodation if I leave in 2011. However, as we have said before, the limiting factor is that we do not have enough resources. If we can match our desires with the resources, then this could work. What is critical to realise is that the Government allocations are approved in this House and all hon. Members know how much is given to my ministry every year. 

As for the Infrastructure Development Plan, once we have completed it, we will distribute it to hon. Members of Parliament. On the other hand, the plan, on its own, without money, will not achieve much. We need to match this plan with sufficient resources.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Machungwa (Luapula): Madam Speaker, in view of what the hon. Minister said with regard to communities assisting the Government in building infrastructure for law enforcement, can he now confirm that he will re-open a police post at Kasomalunga in Luapula Constituency where the community had built a police post and houses, but his predecessors decided to close it without any explanation?

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, that is a new request and I have to investigate what circumstances made the Police Service close that post. After investigating, I will advise the hon. Member accordingly.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu stood up to ask Question 273 on behalf of Mr Mushili.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! You are not the hon. Member for Ndola Central. The hon. Member is not in the House and therefore the question lapses.

ELECTRIFICATION OF KAOLE, CHISUNKA AND CHIBALASHI BASIC SCHOOLS

274. Mr Chimbaka (Bahati) asked the Minister of Education when the Government would electrify the following basic schools where the Rural Electrification Authority has already extended its power lines:

(a)    Kaole;

(b)    Chisunka; and

(c)    Chibalashi.

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Madam Speaker, it is the ministry’s plan to connect all the three basic schools to the national electricity grid when funds are made available. However, Chisunka Basic School has been provided with solar power at the moment.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chimbaka: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the Government spent huge sums of money to construct power lines to these basic schools and that the intention was to provide electricity to these schools? Could he, please, disclose which office is procrastinating in fulfilling this project, especially that power is on the doorsteps of all the teachers’ houses and, therefore, it is just a matter of connecting to the electricity grid? May he, please, inform us when action will be expedited in this regard?

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, this is good information. We will investigate and see if we can expedite the process.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mwenya: Madam Speaker, the response that we get from our hon. Ministers most of the times is ‘when funds are available’. When is the ministry going to come up with good answers in terms of electrification of our schools for the people of Zambia?

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, the ministry is doing everything possible to ensure that we promote quality education though there are many competing needs. We may not fulfil some of the requirements in our schools, but you may wish to know that the ministry has embarked on so many projects just to promote quality education countrywide.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Sinyangwe (Matero): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Education, when giving a ministerial statement, stated that she wanted to bring out a holistic child and we know what happens when there is no electricity in a school. Is the ministry thinking of building schools with funds for electricity included rather than having schools and then start struggling for electricity?

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, every school being built now is electrified either through the national grid or solar system because the ministry recognises the importance of having electricity in our schools.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Madam Speaker, such efforts of providing electricity to teachers’ houses are very commendable, especially for hon. Members who have done so. Who is supposed to wire the houses for the teachers, given that schools are not given adequate grants which they can use to address this issue? Is the ministry prepared to do this?

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for raising that concern. It is true that this is a responsibility of the ministry, but, as the ministry looks for more funds, we encourage our schools and officers on the ground to do this job.

I thank you, Madam.

VALUE OF LIMESTONE AT NDOLA LIME COMPANY

275. Mr Simuusa (Nchanga) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

(a)    how much limestone stockpiled at the Ndola Lime Company did not meet minimum requirements for the manufacture of lime, but was suitable for the manufacture of cement; and

(b)    what the value of this stockpile was.

The Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Nkhata): Madam Speaker, the Ndola Lime Company has an estimated four million tonnes of reject limestone stockpiled within the licensed area. Generation is at the rate of 250,000 tonnes per year. This material is not suitable for lime burning but is, however, suitable for the construction industry and cement manufacturing.

As regards (b), on the basis of the cost of production, the value of the reject limestone stockpile is about US $6 million.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Simuusa: Madam Speaker, this is, obviously, a very valuable resource but it is just going to waste. What is the plan for this very valuable resource that is going to waste at Ndola Lime Company?

Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, we have other companies such as the Zambezi Cement Company that are using this limestone to make cement.

I thank you, Sir.

NUMBER OF CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN ONE AND FIVE YEARS INFECTED WITH HIV/AIDS COUNTRYWIDE

276. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    how many children aged between one year and five years were infected by the HIV/AIDS disease countrywide as of 30th June, 2009;

(b)    of the nine provinces, which one had the highest rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence; and

(c)    which gender had the higher rate, province by province.

The Minister of Health (Mr Simbao): Madam Speaker, according to the Ministry of Health Routine Information of 30th June, 2009, there were 3,089 children for the age group between one and five years who were infected with HIV. Out of this number, 739 were tested positive under the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMCT) Programme and 2,350 were tested positive under the general Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Programme.

As regards part (b) of the question, according to the latest Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), Lusaka Province has the highest HIV prevalence rate at 20.8 per cent followed by the Central Province at 17.9 per cent, the Copperbelt Province at 17.9 per cent and the Western Province at 15.2 per cent.

With regard to part (c), according to the 2007 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, the HIV prevalence rate is higher among women than men in all provinces except Luapula Province where the prevalence rate in men is 15.3 per cent compared to 11.5 per cent in women.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, the number of 3,089 is too high. Is there no way in which such an alarming number of infected children can be reduced?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, a lot of awareness messages are being disseminated to all parents, especially those who are still child bearing and all possible means of stopping other means of contracting HIV by children is also being attempted so that this problem can be lessened. However, as everyone knows, children per se do not contract this disease. It is passed on to them one way or the other by grown ups and, so, it is important that all grown ups in this House and in Zambia take care of the fact that if children are not properly provided for, they are likely to contract HIV/AIDS.

I thank you, Sir.

Mrs Musokotwane (Katombola): Madam Speaker, the survey that was conducted in 2007, more than two years ago, revealed that there were more women infected than men. What mechanisms has the Government put in place to ensure that the infection rate for women is reduced either to a level as that of men or lower?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, messages concerning protection against HIV/AIDS have been disseminated for the last ten or more years to all people. We are even trying hard to see if this can be taught in schools. As a Government, we have provided an escape to this problem. We also provide a means to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS at no cost, that is, we give out both female and male condoms. If someone cannot abstain or be faithful, we encourage them to use condoms.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Colonel Chanda (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister attest to the fact that the astronomical figure of the number of infected children is due to the fact of the non adherence to the exclusive six months breastfeeding, especially that the Government has refused to consider the question of extending maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers to, at least, six months?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, that assertion is a little strange in the medical field. HIV/AIDS is not transmitted by food. It is transmitted by mixing of body fluids. There should be some exposure of the flesh to another person who is infected. When the two somehow come into contact, the chances are that the virus moves from the infected person to an uninfected person. That has completely nothing to do with breastfeeding. In fact, if the hon. Member of Parliament wants to know, we encourage exclusive breastfeeding for six months whether the mother is sick or not. All we ask for is that a child must be checked for sores in the mouth. If the child has no sores in the mouth, then there is no danger of that child getting infected with the virus. Therefore, we encourage exclusive breastfeeding for six months and that has nothing to do with the mothers not having six months maternity leave. It is six months of breast feeding so that whenever the mother is available, she should breast feed the child.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Imenda (Lukulu East): Madam Speaker, at 15.2 per cent, the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the Western Province is too high for a rural province. What deliberate policy has the Government put in place to reduce the levels of HIV/AIDS in the Western Province? Further, why is it higher in this province than others?

Interruptions

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, we seem to be isolating the Government as a sole controller of this problem. Actually, the onus is on every one of us. We should not exclude ourselves from this problem. Whenever we visit our constituencies and meet people, we must tell them that HIV/AIDS is real and it kills. There is no known cure at the moment. We are closer to the people at that level than the Government. Therefore, we should take it upon ourselves to try and protect the people we lead. I do not understand what else the hon. Member wants to know because the Government has continuously given warnings against the dangers of HIV/AIDS. Recently, for those who have television sets, we ran a series called “One Love Kwasila”. I am sure very few people took this programme seriously. If we cannot help people through such programmes, I do not know how else we shall do it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kambwili (Roan): Madam Speaker, kissing is a very serious issue. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether one can contract HIV/AIDS by kissing since saliva is a body fluid.

Laughter

Mr D. Mwila: Hear, hear!

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, once again, I would like to state that the mode of transmission is when there is an opening on any part of the body. If the mouth has no sores, there is no way one can contract HIV/AIDS because the virus will go into the stomach and it will be consumed by the stomach acids and fluids. However, if a mouth has sores and the person that one is associating with has HIV/AIDS, yes, one can get infected.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kambwili: Dr Simbao!

Mr Chitonge (Mwansabombwe): Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister confirm that Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) …

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Chitonge: … is not effective for Zambia to have such a big number of children infected with HIV/AIDS?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, I would not say so because I think PMTCT is very effective. If you look at the number of infected mothers, you will notice that it is very big compared to that of children. The problem is that, to date, there is quite a big percentage of Zambians who do not believe that HIV/AIDS is real. They have been going on with their lives just like before. This is the biggest challenge we are faced with today. People know that values are compromised, especially when they take some alcohol and they trash everything they have learnt as dangers and this has created a very big problem for the Government. I think PMCTC has been very effective. Of course, we would like it to be 100 per cent effective, but it is not possible because of the behaviour of people.

I thank you, Madam Speaker. {mospagebreak}

REAL ESTATE VALUE OF MUKUBA PENSION SCHEME

277. D. Mwila (Chipili) asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:

(a)    what the total real estate value of the Mukuba Pension Scheme was as of October, 2009;

(b)    how much money was owed to pensioners as of October, 2009;

(c)    what the projected investment by the pension scheme in real estate in 2010 was; and

(d)    when the Government would compel all mining companies to allow their workers become members of the Mukuba Pension Scheme.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Mr Liato): Madam Speaker, the total real estate value for the Mukuba Pension Scheme as of October, 2009 was K173.4 billion.

Madam Speaker, a total of K22.6 billion was owed to the pensioners as of October, 2009. There was no investment in real estate that has been projected for this year, 2010, by the Mukuba Pension Scheme.

Madam, the Government has no intention to compel miners or all mining companies to join the Mukuba Pension Scheme. The Mukuba Pension Scheme is currently not a mandatory pension scheme and, therefore, mining companies are not compelled to join it, as they have the right to join other pension schemes of their choice. At the moment, the only mandatory pension scheme that we have in the country is the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA).

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr D. Mwila: Madam Speaker, former employees of the Roan Antelope Mining Company of Zambia (RAMCOZ) have not been paid their pension benefits because the money was not remitted to the Mukuba Pension Scheme. What is the Government doing to ensure that the former employees are paid? 

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, I know that there were some earlier engagements with the Government. The K22.6 billion that I talked about I earlier was actually for RAMCOZ. I know that payments have been made, but I just have to confirm the conclusion. 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda (Kankoyo): Madam Speaker, in view of the answer given by the hon. Minister, is the Government aware that some of the mining companies have far inferior pension schemes than the Mukuba Pension Scheme and what is the Government doing about this? 

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, like I said earlier, we have a mandatory pension scheme and that is NAPSA. We want to urge all the employers and employees to make arrangements to join this scheme. That is why it was made mandatory so that we can take care of the inadequacies of certain pension schemes that were offering a raw deal to their workers. We will be able to follow up issues such as the one the hon. Member is referring to so that we encourage membership to a scheme that will give benefits to employees when time is due. 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Imenda: Madam Speaker, it has become an obvious tendency by pension houses to owe pensioners. What arrangements are made by the Government to compel all the pension houses to meet their obligations?

Madam Deputy Speaker: The question is on the Mukuba Pension Scheme. The hon. Minister can attempt to answer that question.

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, although the question is not in line with what we are talking about, I will attempt to answer it. Generally, we have what we call the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council which, as I indicated yesterday, will be sitting next week. Issues that may need attention such as the one the hon. Member has raised are concerns of the three social partners and these are the employer, employee and the Government. If an issue is thorny and employees, employers or the Government bring it up, it will receive adequate attention.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, the Mukuba Pension Scheme was initially established to cover all mining companies. I would like to know why the Government has allowed Mopani Copper Mines plc to subscribe to Regina Satunia which is not based in Zambia and has no investment at all in Zambia. The pension money is supposed to develop the country in terms of infrastructure and real estate.

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, I do not have any information on what the hon. Member is talking about. He will do a good job to feed my ministry or even my office with that kind of information, as that would be helpful.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Matongo: Madam Speaker, when real estate is not disposed of, it does not give real income. Would the hon. Minister confirm that the disparity between disposable income and existing real estate is the cause of the suffering and dying of some miners on the Copperbelt due to non-payment of their pension benefits? What is the hon. Minister doing to expedite the payment of pension benefits because pensions are emotive?

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, as a ministry, we are trying our best to encourage employers and employees to join a pension scheme that is viable and has good investment plans so as to give good returns to pensioners. Other than that, there has been a good attempt by this Government to pay a huge sum of arrears owed to pensioners in the recent past. We will continue to do that and it is up to the employees, in instances where they feel that the pension scheme they belong to is offering a raw deal, to bring up these issues, as it was recently done by Shoprite workers, so that right interventions can be made by the ministry. If there are any companies that are receiving a raw deal, they are welcome to bring up these issues so that they can be addressed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

LUWI MISSION HOSPITAL

278. Mr Katuka (Mwinilunga East) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    when Luwi Mission Hospital would be accorded referral hospital status;

(b)    when the Government would provide health personnel to the hospital; and

(c)    whether the Government would provide an electricity generator to the hospital and, if so, when.

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, an assessment of Luwi Mission Hospital was conducted by the Ministry of Health in order to ascertain its position to provide first level services. The assessment revealed that although the facility had added infrastructure, there were still other challenges regarding connectivity to the main Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) power grid, non-availability of staff houses, high population of catchment area and resource allocation, if Mwinilunga was to have more than one hospital offering first level services.

Madam Speaker, consultations are still on going for the right-sizing of the health facility. As soon as some of the above mentioned challenges are resolved, a position shall be arrived at.

Madam Speaker, the health facility is currently operating as Ntambu Rural Health Centre, and has the following staff in position:

    Health Worker                    Number

Medical Officer                    01

Registered Nurse                    01

Zambia Enrolled Nurse                 05

Pharmacy Technologist                01

Laboratory technician                 01

Clinical Officer                    01 

Environmental Health Technologist            01

Total                        11

Madam Speaker, we also have the some Korean nuns providing services from the mission hospital as tabulated below:

    Health Worker                    Number    

    Clinical Officer                    01

    Laboratory Technician                01

Madam Speaker, Ntambu Rural Health Centre, also known as Luwi Mission Hospital, operates as a zonal health centre which should have twenty-seven members of staff, including all cadres whether professional, technical or administrative. The current funded position of the health facility is eleven staff and, therefore, there is a shortfall of eighteen staff. 

Madam Speaker, the ministry has embarked on a process to provide emergency power back up systems in health facilities which includes the restoration of generators and installation of solar panels in first, second and third level hospitals. As at now, twenty-three generator sets have been procured. As the programme is rolled out in the second and third phases, Luwi Mission Hospital shall be considered. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Katuka: Madam Speaker, Luwi Mission Hospital was completed in 2004, and six years down the line, the Government has not done anything for the hospital. Realising the challenges that the hospital is facing, why can the Government not partner with the private sector to address these challenges?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, the Government has done a lot for Luwi Mission Hospital. It supplies the drugs as well as all the personnel, which it also pays. In most instances, the Government, which is doing almost everything for mission hospitals, has also done a lot in terms of infrastructure development for Luwi hospital. 

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Madam Speaker, as you are aware we have a lot of upcoming psychiatric cases in the country. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether this hospital will cater for psychiatric patients, or mad people if you like.

Hon. Opposition members: Hear, hear!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! I think that there could be something special about psychiatry in the corner on my left.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Deputy Speaker: The Question on the Order Paper is talking about the electricity and personnel at Luwi Mission Hospital. We move to the next question. 

CONSTRUCTION OF MUJILA HYDRO POWER STATION

279. Mr Katuka asked the Minister of Energy and Water Development when the Mujila Hydro Power Station in Mwinilunga East Parliamentary Constituency, which was budgeted for in 2008, would be constructed. 

The Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development (Mr Imasiku): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the hon. Member of Parliament for Mwinilunga East that although the Rural Electrification Master Plan was completed in 2008, there were no projects from the Master Plan that were budgeted for implementation that particular year. 

However, this very hardworking working Government has managed to mobilise approximately US $50 million soft loan from the Government of Japan for the construction of a 1.4 mega watt Mujila mini Hydro Power Station … 

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Can we have some order?

You may continue.

Mr Imasiku: …as part of the twelve projects that have been selected for implementation from the master plan. The agreement between the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the Government of Japan through the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) to facilitate the release of these funds was signed in Lusaka on 26th March, 2009.

Madam Speaker, the implementation phase of the project has already commenced with procurement of consultancy services using JICA procurement guidelines. These have reached an advanced stage. The consultant will design the power station and associated distribution networks and supervise the actual construction works that are expected to commence in 2011 and end in 2014.

Madam Speaker, I thank you. 

CONSTRUCTION OF NDOLA/LIVINGSTONE DUAL CARRIAGE WAY

280. Dr Machungwa (Luapula) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a)    whether there were any plans to construct a dual carriage way from Ndola to Livingstone; and

(b)    what measures would be taken on infrastructure developments which were situated very close to the Ndola/Livingstone roadway.

The Deputy Minister of Works and Supply (Dr Kalila): Madam Speaker, the Government of the Republic of Zambia has no plans to construct a dual carriage way from Ndola to Livingstone. However, the Government has started with the construction of a dual carriage way between Kitwe and Chingola through a public-private partnership. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Dr Machungwa: Madam Speaker, I am shocked by the hon. Minister’s response. Is it really the intention of the Government that there are no plans, even in the future, to construct a dual carriage way from Ndola to Livingstone, in view of the increasing levels of traffic and road accidents in the country?

Mr Muntanga: There is no plan.  

Hon. Opposition Member: Are you serious?

The Minister of Works and Supply (Mr Mulongoti): Madam Speaker, to plan is one thing and to have resources is another. Our honest answer is that at the moment we are not planning to do a dual carriage way between Ndola and Livingstone. We have, however, embarked, through a PPP, on a dual carriage way from Kitwe to Chingola. 

Madam Speaker, as a Government, we have to be realistic. I do not think that we should be so irresponsible as to tell this House that we have plans to construct a dual carriage way when we do not have resources. In any case, we have also informed this House that this year, we intend to complete the projects that have been outstanding for a long time like the Mutanda/Chavuma, Kasama/Luwingu and Choma/Chitongo roads. We intend to complete these projects because there is no point in starting new projects when we cannot complete the projects that have been outstanding. 

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, in the spirit of realism, we have decided to spend the funds for projects we cannot complete to complete the projects that we can. It is not that we do not care about the people who die in road accidents. However, we would like to appeal to drivers to be more careful as they are driving on these roads because, right now, we are not able to do another dual carriage way. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}

Mr Sikota (Livingstone): Madam Speaker granted that the Government will not embark on this development immediately, would the hon. Minister assure this House that in the spirit of forward planning for the project will be undertaken whatever time the Government will be ready to embark on this project? The second part of that question relating to infrastructure development will be taken care of in that all local authorities and relevant road authorities along that stretch will be told that there should not be any development so that when the Government eventually embarks on this process, there will be no need to start demolishing structures and compensating people.

Mr Muntanga: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, I am not in a position to give an assurance for one simple reason. Whenever a contract is awarded, inclusive in that contract is compensation for those whose infrastructure, gardens and small tuntembas are demolished for the purpose. In the building of the dual carriage way, if the surveyors decide that a direction is not good enough, and the road has to go through a village which is a few metres from the road, what guarantee can I give? All I am saying is that we have the Sixth National Development Plan which is on the cards. The plans for infrastructure development will be attended to through that as well. Please, understand that in life, nothing is for sure and guaranteed other than taxes and death. Therefore, I cannot give an assurance about those who will build along the routes that will be decided by surveyors and the engineers. Let them just know that the compensation available will be given to them and we do hope that will not stand in the way of development.

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mooya (Moomba): Madam Speaker, there are some black spots such as Munali Hills and Dallas along the same road. Are there any plans to widen the road at these spots because it is not very expensive, but cheap?

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member was an engineer and did not design the …

Hon. Opposition Members: He is!

Mr Mulongoti: Well, he was an engineer at the Ministry of Works and Supply. Therefore, he did not design the expansion of the same area during the long time he was there.

Laughter

Mr Mulongoti: Anyway, this is not to say that we will not take note of that advice. It will be considered and not only at those places, but the many other black spots around the country. Therefore, we are taking all those concerns into consideration.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I would like to agree with the hon. Minister that it will be very expensive to build the dual carriage way from Ndola to Livingstone. Could that not be done in phases like Livingstone/Zimba and Zimba/Choma until we reach Ndola so that we make the expense manageable?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is currently a beneficiary of the whole project from Zimba to Livingstone. You should understand that resources permitting, we will do everything to satisfy our needs. As for now, we will do all we can to also consider other parts of the country where they want their roads upgraded to bituminous level. Therefore, you should be patient enough. I know that it may not be in your time, but we do hope that your children can benefit.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Matongo (Pemba): Madam Speaker, frankly, I did not expect my able friend, the hon. Minister of Works and Supply, to have fallen in the trap to accept resources as a constraint. I want to put it to him that all investors in this country have been given leeway, tax exemptions and the rest of it. Some of these are coming to an end. Could this Cabinet not review some of these, including the windfall tax? I know that the hon. Minister of Works and Supply is an influential member of this Cabinet. Could we not think along those lines so that this resource envelope issue should not be coming out of an able hon. Minister such as you?

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! The question is coming for the second time today.

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, indeed, the question is coming for the second time. I know that the hon. Member is also a very able member of UPND and the pact.

Hon. Opposition Members: hear, hear!

Mr Mulongoti:  We would also be grateful if you could help recover the US $12 million that went into that company where the able leader is.

I thank you, Madam.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA AND MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

281. Mr Mwango (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister Education:

(a)    why a Memorandum of Understating was signed between the University of Zambia and the ministry to upgrade the qualifications of 6,000 teachers country-wide;

(b)    when the Memorandum would be implemented;

(c)    how much money was expected to be spent on the project at (a) ; and

(d)    what the duration of the agreement was.

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! Can we listen?

The Deputy Minister of Education (Mr Sinyinda): Madam Speaker, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed to formalise the agreement between the two parties, that is the Ministry of Education and University of Zambia (UNZA) to specifically articulate the objectives, responsibilities, procedures of the agreement to provide a tailor-made programme to upgrade teachers’ qualifications from diploma to degree level in order to produce qualified teachers to teach at high school level (Grade 10 to 12) and to produce teachers in critical scarcity areas such as science and mathematics.

Madam Speaker, a preparatory meeting was held by the School of Education of the University of Zambia in October, 2007 towards the implementation of the training programme. Training would be by distance learning. Since then, preparatory work has reached an advanced stage and module preparation has gone on. Implementation of the programme is expected to begin in 2010.

Madam Speaker, K2.1 billion seed money was released to UNZA by the Ministry of Education for the university to implement the programme. Almost half of this amount has already been spent on preparatory activities. From the university’s perspective, there will be additional requirements when the programme is implemented, including equipping resource centres country wide with relevant teaching and learning literature and information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and establishment of face-to-face residential centres country wide.

Madam Speaker, the Fast Track Teacher Training Programme has been designed as a three-year programme. The understating is that the programme will end once all the targeted diploma-holding teachers currently teaching in high schools are trained.

I thank You, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mwango: Madam Speaker, I would like to know if it is all the teachers in high schools to be upgraded.

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, as the hon. Member may be aware, we are building a lot of high schools although we do not have qualified teachers. Our vision is to upgrade the qualifications of all those with diplomas and are teaching in high schools to the degree level. 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mwamba (Lukashya): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether this programme is aimed at improving the qualifications of teachers who found themselves teaching at secondary schools when they were primary school teacher trained.

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, our aim is to see to it that the majority of the teachers with diplomas and are teaching in high schools have their qualifications upgraded to degree level. This move is aimed at promoting quality education in our high schools.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chazangwe (Choma Central): Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister tell us if there is accommodation in all these high schools because when someone attains a degree, they need to be in proper houses? Has the hon. Minister taken that aspect into account?

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is correct although, at the moment, we are looking at upgrading the qualifications of teachers in high schools from a diploma to a degree. I would like to just say that the teachers we are targeting are those who are already teaching in high schools although we recognise the fact that we do not have enough houses in our high schools. On this one, we are doing everything possible to embark on building teachers’ houses.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out whether the ministry will provide bursaries to teachers who will undergo such training.

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the hon. Member that that is our intention and that is why we have already paid K2.1 billion to the University of Zambia so that our teachers can be trained free of charge since this is a programme of the ministry.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chongo (Mwense): Madam Speaker, whilst commending the ministry for that initiative, may I know if they are considering absorbing our teachers who have struggled to sponsor themselves at the university?

Mr Sinyinda: Madam Speaker, as you may know, our policy document entitled “Educating Our Future” emphasises cost sharing when it comes to certain issues. We would like to have a situation where all our teachers are upgraded. At the moment, we are offering this programme and our teachers should take advantage of it to upgrade themselves.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AT CHAMBISHI ON FIXED TERM AND PENSIONABLE CONTRACTS

282. Mr Kambwili asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security how many employees at Chambishi Smelter were on fixed term and pensionable contracts. 

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, there are a total of 685 employees on permanent and pensionable conditions of service and twenty on short, fixed-term contracts at Chambeshi Copper Smelter.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

COMMENCEMENT OF TARRING WORKS ON CHIPATA/LUNDAZI ROAD BETWEEN MWASEMPHANGWE AND LUNDAZI BOMA

283. Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC. (Chasefu) asked the Minister of Works and Supply:

(a)    when tarring works would commence on the Chipata-Lundazi Road between Mwasemphangwe and Lundazi Boma;

(b)    which contractor was awarded the contract to undertake the works at (a);

(c)    what the estimated cost of tarring the road was; and

(d)    what the estimated date of completion of the works was.

Dr Kalila: Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Works and Supply and the Road Development Agency (RDA), recognises the need to repair, maintain and rehabilitate roads throughout the country. The first section of ninety kilometres between Chipata and Mwasemphangwe has been tarred. The second section from Mwasemphangwe will be rehabilitated when sufficient funds are available. The Government has continued in its effort to source sufficient funds to commence and complete the remaining section.

Madam Speaker, the contractor to carry out the works has not been identified because the Government, through the Ministry of Works and Supply and the RDA, will only endorse works once supplementary and additional funds are available. The cost has been estimated at over K100 million and the construction time has been estimated at eighteen months.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr C. K. B. Banda, SC.: Madam Speaker, when the President visited Lundazi, about two months ago, he made a very categorical commitment that the road would be rehabilitated this year. Will the ministry stick to the commitment which the President publicly made to the people of Lundazi?

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, we are a very committed ministry and when His Excellency the President makes such a statement, the next task is to find resources. If you look at the period it takes to construct a road, you will appreciate that even if resources were made available, it would not be possible to complete it this year, but it is possible that we can make a start and the hon. Member can wait for, maybe, next year as it will not disadvantage him much.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

RURAL AND URBAN DRUG STORES

284. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Health:

(a)    what the requirements to set up a drug store in rural and urban areas were; and 

(b)    how many times the Government inspected drug stores per annum.

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, a drug store is involved in the retail pharmacy business and, as such, is required to be regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Pharmaceutical Act. Further, the current legislation does not distinguish requirements to set up a retail pharmacy business or drug store in a rural or urban setting. The requirements are basically the same. In order to establish and operate a retail pharmacy business, the Pharmaceutical Act requires that the pharmacy be registered accordingly. The applicant must submit, in a prescribed form, an application accompanied by relevant application fees and the following documents:

(i)    a copy of the Pharmacist Practising Certificate as issued by the Health Professions Council of Zambia and this must be conspicuously displayed on the premises.

(ii)    trading licence, as issued by the local authority;

(iii)    lay out of the pharmacy; and

(iv)    copy of the Certificate of Incorporation or registration as may be applicable and, where the applicant is not a registered pharmacist, the applicant should state the name of the registered pharmacist who is designated by the applicant as the manager of the pharmacy.

Pharmacies or drug stores, as premises dealing in the sale and supply of medicines directly to the public, are regulated by the Pharmaceutical Act and are required to be under the professional direction of a registered pharmacist. It should be noted that pharmacies are not only owned by pharmacists, but any other legal person may operate a retail pharmacy business, as long as they have a registered pharmacist as the manager of the pharmacy and they also comply with other legal requirements of the Pharmaceutical Act.

The Government, through the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority (PRA), inspects registered retail pharmacy business outlets, at least, once every year, prior to the renewal of the pharmacy registration certificates. In addition, regular random routine inspections are carried out from time to time in order to ensure that registered premises are operating in accordance with the terms of the certificates.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chisala: Madam Speaker, there are mushrooming drug stores countrywide. May I find out from the hon. Minister whether all these drug stores are registered by the ministry in question?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, first of all, the operation of drug stores is not directly under the Ministry of Health. It is under a board called Pharmaceutical Regulation Authority. As regards whether all the drug stores are registered, yes, they should be registered. If there are any other illegal drug stores, they will be captured in the routine check ups that are carried out.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, I am aware that most of the Government hospitals do not have qualified pharmacists to run their pharmacies. Why should the Government require a registered pharmacist to run a drug store?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, according to the Government system, every province has a provincial pharmacist under whom all the other pharmacists, technicians and technologists fall. Therefore, he/she is in charge of all these pharmacies in all these places.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister, how often they check expired drugs in the drug stores?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, every time premises are visited by Government pharmacists, all these things are looked into, including expired drugs.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out why the Government has allowed private-owned drug stores or pharmacies to be opened at some of the Government hospitals. Does this not encourage people pilfering drugs from the main pharmacy into private pharmacies?

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, in most, cases pharmacies do stock medicines that are, at times, not stocked by the Government and this goes by the reality of a situation. Now, in an obvious case such as the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where there is a pharmacy within the premises, UTH has shares in that pharmacy but, again, this is for the sake of stocking those medicines that are not normally stocked by the Government pharmacies.

Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, may I know whether it is legal or illegal for a pharmacy to dispense antibiotics without a prescription.

Mr Simbao: Madam Speaker, it is illegal.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CHINESE BGRIMM EXPLOSIVES FACTORY

285. Mr Mukanga asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development what lasting preventative measures had been taken at the Chinese BGRIMM Explosives Factory following the 2005 disaster in which forty-nine lives were lost.

Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, the Chinese BGRIMM Explosives Factory has not yet been re-built to recommence production and, therefore, no lasting preventive measures have been taken. However, the following measures will be taken if the factory is to be reconstructed:

(i)    the plant should be designed in such a way that it is divided into three sections with physical barriers (bund walls) in between, that is, mixing, sensitisation and cartridging. This is to ensure that an explosion in one section does not affect other sections;

(ii)    the cartridged explosives or finished products should not be allowed to accumulate in the plant. They should continuously be taken away to storage magazines as they are produced. This is to minimise the impact of a possible accidental explosion;

(iii)    automate the processing equipment to reduce the number of people in the plant being exposed to the risk of an explosion. This includes online sensitisation as opposed to manual mixing of the sensitiser;

(iv)    only one production line should be operated at any one time. BGRIMM were operating the Anfex Plant and Cartridged Explosives Plant simultaneously, thus increasing the number of people present in the plant at any one time; and

(v)    adherence to the requirements of the Explosives Act and the subsidiary Explosives Regulations.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why report for this BGRIMM accident has not been made public up to now and when it is going to be made public.

Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, it will be made public as soon as they finish preparing it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.{mospagebreak}

Mr Chongo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has just outlined the measures that have to be put in place in constructing an explosives factory. The accident that happened at the BGRIMM Explosives Factory is an indication that these measures were not adhered to at the factory. What punitive measures did the ministry take on mine inspectors for not ensuring that the factory operated according to the Explosives Act?

Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, in my answer, I stated that the operators of that factory ignored the measures put in place without the knowledge of our inspectors.

Hon. Opposition Members interjected.

Mr Nkhata: That is why the accident happened. So the preventive measures that I have outlined will be followed as soon as the factory starts operating.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Banda (Chililabombwe): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if BGRIMM has been given a go-ahead to construct another factory.

Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, the factory is still there. It will just be rehabilitated and equipped with the safety measures that I outlined earlier.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, first and foremost, let me correct the hon. Minister. The factory was razed to the ground …

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Business was suspended from 1045 hours until 1100 hours.

[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the 
Chair]

Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that, firstly, I wanted to correct the impression given that there is still a building at the BGRIMM Explosives Factory. The whole factory was razed to the ground as a result of the blast. 

I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why it has taken five years to carry out investigations and come up with a report. Furthermore, why is it that only Zambians died in the accident when there were also Chinese nationals on duty on that particular day?

Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, it takes time for people to prepare an evacuation from a building such as the one in question, depending on how the accident took place. This is the reason people are still investigating the circumstances of the accident. 

In terms of that particular accident, I do not think it is right to assume that there were Chinese nationals working among the Zambians who died in that incident. It is not possible for an accident to selectively kill people of a certain nationality.  

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! 

Let us not go back into issues that were responded to. The reports are on some of our records.

Mrs Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister read out what should be done if the factory is to be rebuilt. I want to find out from him whether we had inspectors at the time that factory was built. If so, how come they did not ensure that the safety measures that the hon. Minister was reading to us, today, were put in place at the time?

Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, inspectors were there and what happened was a mere accident.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mwenya (Nkana): Madam Speaker, could I find out from the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development why it is taking so long to have the report on that accident released? In fact, why is it that we have a problem with reports being released? For example, the report on the football players who died in Gabon has been problematic. Again, the report on the people who died at BGRIMM has also become a problem …

Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member is debating. Ask your follow-up question.

Mr Mwenya: Could the hon. Minister tell us clearly where the problem is in releasing a report to the nation on this incident and why hon. Members on your right should expect the people of Chambeshi to vote for them. 

Hon. MMD Members: Aah!

Madam Deputy Speaker: That question was asked a few minutes ago.

Mr Hachipuka (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, in the interest of progress, is it possible for the hon. Minister to come to this House with a statement clearly showing the state of the BGRIMM Explosives Factory? If the Chinese are not prepared to rebuild it, can the ministry give the opportunity to produce explosives to another investor? What is the way forward, as Zambia would certainly want to produce explosives?

Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, the ministry will definitely prepare the report as soon as possible. Once this is done, I think the way forward will be known.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, how was the US$10,000 compensation to the families of the people who died at the BGRIMM Explosives Factory arrived at without a report being issued?

Mr Nkhata: Madam Speaker, I think it is a well-known fact that each family had to be paid something. This is why the Government asked the company to pay K150 million to each family.

Thank you, Madam.

Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central): Madam Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to clarify the true position of the factory. Before any factory is set up, the ministry sends inspectors. He has also mentioned what is needed to set up a good factory. In fact, the factory was built without safety facilities. Why was the factory allowed to start operating without the new safety facilities he has just told us about?

Mr Nkhata: Madam, inspectors were there and what happened at that time is that another line was added which needed more people to be in the plant. The accident happened after the inspectors had been to the plant. Besides, inspectors are not always at the plant. There is set time when to inspect the building.

I thank you, Madam.

Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!

HAMMER MILLS FOR CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES COUNTRYWIDE

286. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Community Development and Social Services:

(a)    whether the hammer mills given to co-operative societies countrywide were still operational; and

(b)    whether co-operative societies had benefited from the same hammer mills.

The Deputy Minister of Community Development and Social Services (Mr Malwa): Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services did not give the co-operative societies any hammer mills, but the women’s groups. Most of the hammer mills are not in operation.

As regards part (b) of the question, during the period 1992 to 2005, the ministry distributed 592 hammer mills countrywide. The hammer mills that the ministry distributed were under the women empowerment programmes and women’s groups were not members of the co-operative societies, hence the women’s groups who received the hammer mills benefited.

Madam Speaker, allow me to lay the document which contains names of beneficiaries and information relating to the 592 distributed hammer mills in all the nine provinces. This document also contains names of all hon. Members of Parliament who spearheaded the receipt of these 592 hammer mills.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Malwa laid the paper on the Table.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Hamusonde: Madam, since the hammer mills are no longer working, I would like to know what plans the Government has for them.

Mr Malwa: Madam, I informed the House, in my response, that some of the hammer mills are not working because of wear and tear since they have been in use from between 1992 and 1995.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kapeya (Mpika Central): Madam, since a number of new women’s clubs have come on board, will the ministry consider repeating the same exercise?

Mr Malwa: Madam, I thank the hon. Member for raising that question. Currently, the distribution of hammer mills has been shifted to the Ministry of Gender and Women in Development. This is the ministry that is going to procure hammer mills, but we will continue giving grants for empowering women’s programmes.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr L. J. Mulenga (Kwacha): Madam, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether we have any information on how the hammer mills which were given to women’s clubs can be economically operated.

Mr Malwa: Madam, a lot of women’s clubs benefited from this exercise and so we will continue with it because it produced good results.

I thank you, Madam.

MONEY RAISED FROM ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF DRIVERS’ LICENCES

287. Mr Chitonge (Mwansabombwe) asked the Minister of Communications and Transport how much money was raised from the issuance and renewal of drivers’ licences from January, 2008 to August, 2009.

The Deputy Minister of Communications and Transport (Mr Mubika): Madam Speaker, the Road Transport and Safety Agency raised K16,730,727,456 from the issuance and renewal of drivers’ licences from 1st January, 2008 to 30th August, 2009. The money was deposited into Control 99.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Chitonge: Madam, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why it takes so much time for someone to be issued with a driver’s licence.

Professor Lungwangwa: Madam Speaker, a lot of effort has been made to cut on the delays by instituting computerised issuance system, but if there are any delays, we would like to know what those delays are and how long they are taking. So far, from what has been done, there has been a significant improvement in the issuance of drivers’ licences.

I thank you, Madam

MAINTENANCE OF DILAPIDATED GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS COUNTRYWIDE

288. Mr Muntanga (Kalomo Central) asked the Minister of Works and Supply when dilapidated Government buildings in rural districts countrywide would be repaired and maintained. 

Dr Kalila: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the rehabilitation and maintenance of dilapidated Government buildings in rural districts countrywide will only start when the respective Government departments budget for the maintenance and rehabilitation of buildings. The Ministry of Works and Supply has always proposed that the Government makes budget provisions for this activity, but due to limited resources and low ceiling, the activity does not get into the work plans.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Muntanga: Madam Speaker, the question of money always comes up when we talk about repairs of certain Government equipment or buildings. Where does the money come from which the Government uses to repair and refurbish headquarters for various ministries? Most ministry headquarters have been carpeted from wall to wall and have modern equipment in offices while district buildings remain dilapidated. In Kalomo, the building for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security which is near the road is terrible. When will this money be found to repair these buildings?

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, let me take advantage of this question to appeal to hon. Members of Parliament that, yes, there are many dilapidated buildings in their respective areas, but they are the same people who pass the Budget. I hope that when planning in their councils, they must enforce some of the regulations that have to do with hygiene and standards. At the same time, they must prevail on the department heads in their respective areas. It does not take a lot of money to put a coat of paint, replace a window pane or buy curtains for the offices because they have money for general administration, but it is a question of application. If you show no interest in those structures, I can tell you that they will get worse. Therefore, if you are waiting for me to go round the country and do it, I would die even before I finish a quarter of this country.

Laughter

Mr Shakafuswa: It does not have to be you, but the ministry!

Mr Mulongoti: Please, hon. Members, I would like to appeal to you to have interest in the structures that are in your respective districts. Neither I nor my staff in the ministry need to visit those areas but, I think, with your interest, a lot can be done. Some of you go into offices on a daily basis, but you seem to have no interest at all in the environment around you. Please, find time and show interest because you are the leaders in those areas.

Interruptions

Mr Mulongoti: Please, hon. Members of Parliament, when I visit your districts, what I will see there will be a reflection of who you are.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Shakafuswa (Katuba): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out if the hon. Minister of Works and Supply is aware that when the Budget comes to this House, it comes with ceilings and limitations which are provided by the Executive. As a result, hon. Members cannot move the figures up or downwards. Is he aware that budgets for district councils have been eroded because the Central Government removed all areas where the councils collected revenue and, as a result, the budgets are on a shoe string and cannot manage even the minimum drop of paint?

Madam Deputy Speaker: That was a debate.

Mr Mulongoti: There was a question.

Mrs Masebo (Chongwe): Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister of Works and Supply whether his ministry has any policy in place regarding maintenance of Government buildings countrywide. If not, does he have any plans to put that policy in place because I think it is necessary?

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, this is the attitude that makes me sad because if respective ministries have got budgets for maintenance and other things, I do not know what policies should be put in place for the purpose of repair and maintenance. All I am saying is that, please, pay attention to these structures. The question of expecting one ministry to go round the country to supervise may not arise. All of us must have an interest because these are our structures. All of us, as citizens, including those on the streets, must pay attention to these structures because they are ours. At the end of the day, what the former hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing is asking me is not correct.

Mr Shakafuswa: What degree did you get?

Mr Mulongoti: It is the responsibility of each respective ministry because they will budget for funding for that purpose. What will the policy do? It is the attitude. If you are saying that they are able to look after their headquarters very well, why can they not do the same in their respective areas? Please, I implore you, hon. Members, to find time. Do not just walk around as hon. Members of Parliament in the districts.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Mr Mushili (Ndola Central): Madam Speaker, may I also take advantage of the answer that has been given by the hon. Minister who is expecting each ministry to maintain its buildings using money from its budget allocation. Is it not the incompetence of your leadership in respective ministries that is not able to know priority areas that must be addressed?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Deputy Speaker: I think we can moderate how we address one another because it becomes difficult for them to give you answers when you say that they are incompetent. Use the right words to describe the situation.

Mr Mushili Stood up.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, I do not consider this able Government to be incompetent.

Mr Kambwili: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mulongoti: Madam Speaker, it is in our mindset that we must look after our assets in this country. It is not good to leave issues to a specific group of people. I do not know whether I will be considered incompetent if a driver in Ndola, where you live, Hon. Mushili, passes with a dirty car. Are you going to wait for me to come and remind the driver to clean the car? You are part of leadership. I know you are leadership in waiting because that is what is in your head. You are an hon. Member of Parliament and you are part of the leadership of this country. You should exercise that leadership so that we can benefit from it as well. You should give an example of what you will be able to do in future, if you will ever be in leadership. To my surprise, you do not seem to have any interest in what is happening around. You only want to come and rule one day. It will not happen like that. 

I thank you, Madam Speaker. 

MONEY RAISED FROM HEARSES COUNTRYWIDE

289. Mr Mushili asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing:

(a)    how much money had been raised through charges on the use of hearses countrywide since they became operational;

(b)    how much had been raised in Ndola Central Parliamentary Constituency in the same period; and

(c)    how the money at (a) was accounted for.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Muchima): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that as at 31st December, 2009, K92 million had been raised through charges on the use of hearses countrywide since they became operational. 

Madam Speaker, K3.9 million was raised from Ndola Central Parliamentary Constituency during the same period. The money raised has been used to offset costs associated with the operations of the hearses. These costs include allowances to drivers, fuel and servicing of the same vehicles.

I thank you, Madam Speaker. 

Mr Mushili: Madam Speaker, following the research that I have done about the full utilisation of the hearses, most of which are always stationery, will the ministry consider converting some of the hearses into ambulances where the need is more prominent than carrying dead bodies?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the Government has no intention to convert hearses into ambulances. I am sure, the hon. Member is aware that the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has distributed some ambulances to most parts of the country. Hearses have got a specific purpose. If people do not know the use the hearses, it is because, maybe, the leaders in those areas are not informing them on the use of those hearses. The charges on those hearses start from one ngwee up to a maximum of K300,000 but some people are scared. In certain areas, they are being used to the full capacity.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu: Madam Speaker, in Chibombo, the hearse has only been used once since it was sent there. Therefore, do you not think that it could have been a better idea to have converted canter light trucks into ambulances which can carry a coffin and about ten people when going for burial?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, although the question is not very clear, I would like to say that the purpose for the ambulance is to assist the people in the rural areas. These hearses were given to councils and it is not the responsibility of the Government to force people to use them. Those who wish and feel that they have a need for them, can use them. In most constituencies, they are using them. In Chibombo, there are ambulances which can be used for the other purposes.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Simuusa (Nchanga): Madam Speaker, what is the status of the investigation regarding the acquiring of these hearses.

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order! I think, the other day, I guided that hon. Ministers come with answer pertaining to specific questions. When we over stretch our questions, we end up getting answers that are not really helpful because they are not fully prepared for. The report is not the issue at hand. That is a very important topic that you cannot just throw in like that.

Mr Chimbaka (Bahati): Madam Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister as to whether there are future plans to provide these useful vehicles to constituency offices so that they are nearer to the needy, especially in Bahati Constituency where these hearses have proved to very useful and the people are happy.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the hearses are already near the constituency offices. Some hon. Members are even saying that these hearses are not being used. Those which are already provided are very close. I know that in certain districts or constituencies, some of them have been used only once or twice. Therefore, there is no need to provide more. Those are sufficient at the moment.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that one way in which the money that was being collected from the hearses was used was to service vehicles. What mechanism has the Government put in place to ensure that these hearses that have been allocated in various districts are serviced in those districts rather than driving them to Lusaka when they are due for a 1,000 kilometre service?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, as you are aware, certain rural places have got no proper garages and we cannot risk those good vehicles which are still brand new to be tampered with by bush mechanics. 

Laughter

Mr Muchima: The councils are quite capable and we have resources to take these vehicles to garages that can service them appropriately. What we need is good work done on the vehicles.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Kapata: Madam Speaker, due to high levels of poverty in both rural and urban areas, are these hearses given to vulnerable people who cannot afford to pay the fees for the hearses free of charge?

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, the issue of death is a compassionate one. I have seen that, in Zambia, nobody has been denied a chance to be buried. As hon. Members of Parliament, we contribute so effectively that even the vulnerable people are catered for when they are burying their dead. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.{mospagebreak} 

REINTRODUCTION OF TRAINING OF CHIEFS AT CHALIMBANA TRAINING INSTITUTE

290. Mrs Musokotwane asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing whether the Government had any plans to re-introduce the training of Chiefs at Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute.  

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that the Government has plans to re-introduce the training of chiefs at Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute. This will, however, only be done after the institute is rehabilitated to be able to accommodate their royal highnesses attending training programmes. In the meantime, the Government runs training programmes for chiefs in selected areas in the country in accordance with the training situational analysis.

Madam Speaker, I thank you. 

Mrs Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister did not tell us when rehabilitation would be completed. May he give us this information? 

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, as soon as resources are made available, and especially that decentralisation will be in place, the donor community and the Government will embark on this project. 

I thank you, Sir.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AT MPELEMBE DRILLING COMPANY

291. Mr Mukanga asked the Minister of Labour and Social Security:

(a)    how many people were employed by Mpelembe Drilling company as of 30th October, 2009;

(b)    how many of the employees above were on half pay and for how long; and

(c)    what the reasons for the half pay were.

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, a total of 620 people was employed by Mpelembe Drilling Company as of 30th December, 2009. There were 238 employees on half pay and they have been on half pay for more than three years. 

Madam Speaker, Mpelembe Drilling was put on a Management Buy Out (MBO) in 1997 and because of its enormous liabilities due to huge debts owed to the creditors accumulated over a period of time, investors were not willing to buy it. The new management bought the company with its assets and liabilities. There was, however, a need to increase the capacity of operations, but the new shareholders could not pump money into the company, resulting in a reduction in the company operations, and the company was not able to keep all its employees on full salaries. As a result, management and the employees agreed to place employees on half salaries rather than retrench them.

Madam Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Mukanga: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that in the last three years, employees put on half salary were paid a month’s salary only once? How does this Government expect the employees to survive when they are not getting any form of salaries?

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member was informed, through my earlier response, that there was an agreement between management and the employees to place them on half salary rather than retrench them. If there are any other latest developments other than the position we have given you, it has not been brought to my ministry’s attention. However, when they are brought to our attention, we will look at them. 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Dr Machungwa: Madam Speaker, I believe this is a private company. However, is it within the Employment Act that people can be on half salary for three years? If a company is not able to pay, why not just liquidate it or retrench the employees?
 
Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, I know that, in difficult times, employees and employers can make arrangements that are befitting to both parties. During the time we were experiencing the credit crunch, many companies agreed with their employees that they would not discuss issues of review of salaries or wages or, indeed, conditions of service. 

This is an arrangement that one would not want to interfere in because it is befitting to both parties. In this case, if it was found befitting for both employee and employer that rather than being retrenched, they maintain their jobs and get half salaries, it is something that we would want to look at and see how far it could go because really it does not infringe on personal interests. The two parties are happy with this arrangement. In this case, there is no law being broken. This is the situation at Mpelembe Drilling. 

Madam Speaker, if the employees have a complaint, they should bring it to the ministry. At this stage, the ministry will intervene. However, if they are happy with the current arrangements, there is nothing we can do. In any case, the company is not able to pay them due to difficult conditions. I mentioned earlier that the new management took on a company that had so much liability that it is having difficulties to come out of it. 

Madam Speaker, we will watch the situation carefully and see if this agreement is befitting to both employees and employers. It is only at the stage where complaints are forthcoming, that we will we move in and intervene.

Madam Speaker, I thank you. 

Mr Shakafuswa: Madam Speaker, would the hon. Minister confirm that apart from the liability which the company and the new management inherited, the company is simply not able to find good business because of competition and lack of exploration works on the Copperbelt and thus cannot raise enough money to pay its employees?

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, I am not privy to the day-to-day running or management of the company. I, therefore, do not have that information. 

I thank you, Madam. 

Mr Kambwili: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether he is aware that Mpelembe Drilling has found itself in these problems because new mining owners are not prepared to deal with it by giving it contracts in preference to the foreign companies that they have come with such as the Peruvians at Mopani Copper Mines.

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, the situation at Mpelembe Drilling, from the ministry’s point of view, is as read in the statement. I think that the problems at Mpelembe Drilling are historical because it inherited liabilities which it cannot recover from. If there is a new position or dimension that they have found themselves in, it is not known by my ministry. 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Muntanga: Madam Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to tell us the proper Government standing as regards employees’ salaries because he just said the company has got problems and the employees are happy to be put on half pay. Now, suppose the payments are lower than the statutory requirement for the workers to be paid, what is the position? It is not clear. 

Mr Liato: Madam Speaker, if you are paying what is stipulated, you are not breaking the law. Obviously, there is a minimum wage at law and if you pay below what is stipulated as minimum wage, you are breaking the law. I wish to add by saying that, in difficult moments, people make decisions which are very difficult. You will agree with me that during the credit crunch, if I can remember correctly, it was the British Airways Employees who decided to forgo their salaries. Whether or not, in Britain, there is a stipulated minimum wage, if one decided to forge his salary, no minimum wage was considered in that month. Therefore, in such situations people try and see how to limp through a difficult moment until the company or the administration is stable again. 

As a ministry and Government, we wish to ensure that people retain their jobs. If a company is going through difficult times and there is no difficulty at all with paying or giving certain sacrifices, we want them to limp along so that they can survive or see some green pasture once again.

I thank you, Madam Speaker

_______

BILLS

THE IMMIGRATION AND DEPORTATION BILL, 2010

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Mangani): Madam Speaker, I beg to introduce a Bill entitled the Immigration and Deportation Bill, 2010. The objects of this Bill are to:

(a)    consolidate the law relating to immigration;

(b)    provide for the appointment of Director of Immigration and other immigration officers and provide for their powers and functions;

(c)    promote a human rights-based approach and culture in respect of immigration controls;

(d)    regulate the entry, exit and remaining within Zambia of immigrants and visitors;

(e)    provide for prohibited immigrants and other specified persons’ deportation from Zambia;

(f)    provide for, and regulate, immigration consultants;

(g)    create an environment of co-operation with other public institutions and promote an integration of functions and harmonisation of operations among public institutions controlling borders and activities at ports of entry;

(h)    repeal and replace the Immigration and Deportation Act, 1965; and

(i)    provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

I thank you Madam Speaker.

Madam Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 19th March, 2010.

Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BILL, 2010

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, I beg to introduce a Bill entitled the Dairy Industry Development Bill, 2010. The objects of this Bill are to:

(a)    regulate the dairy industry so as to develop an efficient and self-sustaining dairy industry that will effectively contribute towards poverty alleviation, household food security and employment creation;

(b)    establish the Dairy Industry Development Board and provide for its functions and powers;

(c)    enhance milk production in order to fully utilise the capacity of processing facilities, so as to achieve growth in the processing of safe and wholesome high value milk products;

(d)    provide for the processing, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of milk;

(e)    ensure collaboration and participation of all stakeholders within the dairy industry and provide a wider service to farmers in the dairy industry;

(f)    promote self-regulation of the dairy industry through the development and use of codes of practices;

(g)    repeal the Dairies and Dairy Produce Act, 1931; and

(h)    provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Lands. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 19th March, 2010.

Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

THE DAIRY PRODUCE BOARD (ESTABLISHMENT) (REPEAL) BILL, 2010

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, I beg to introduce a Bill entitled the Dairy Produce Board (Establishment) (Repeal) Bill, 2010. 

The object of this Bill is to repeal the Dairy Produce Board (Establishment) Act.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Lands. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 19th March, 2010.

Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

THE DAIRY PRODUCE MARKETING AND LEVY (REPEAL) BILL, 2010

Mr Mangani: Madam Speaker, I beg to introduce a Bill entitled the Dairy Produce Marketing and Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2010. 

The object of the Bill is to repeal the Dairy Produce Marketing and Levy Act.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Deputy Speaker: The Bill stands referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Lands. The Committee is required to submit its report on the Bill to the House by Friday, 19th March, 2010.

Hon. Members who wish to make submissions or amendments to the Bill are free to do so within the programme of work of the Committee.

______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Mangani): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.
______

The House adjourned at 1154 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 2nd March, 2010.

________